Antigens

For shipping the antigen to our facilities, we ask you to fill out the Antigen Shipping and Receipt Form. In order to get information on the toxicity of the antigen, we also require a filled out  COSHH Assessment for Antibody Services . All antigens are receipted, signed for and logged onto our Antibody Services database, this provides trace ability, a record of how it has been prepared and how much is used, at this point any further Antigen required to complete protocol will be requested from the Client. We can store antigens at any temperature required by the customer. Any Purified peptide needed for ELISA testing will be transferred to Immunology department or back to the Customer. At the end of the project any Antigen left will be shipped along with the Harvest Bleed.

If you do not have access to the antigen yourself, contact us to discuss our new recombinant protein or peptide synthesis service.

Antigens can be accepted based on the following types:

• Solution/Buffer
• SDS Gel slice
• 5M Urea Buffer
• Detergents e.g. Tween 20
• Organic Solvents
• Lyophilized Powder
• Peptide

We cannot accept the following:

• Sodium Azide
• Thimerosal

Typical antigen concentrations required for each immunization are listed below. These are for guidance only. Smaller quantities can be used depending on the antigen.

Antigen Preparation

Solutions

• If the customer has sent an antigen that is of a higher concentration required, this will need to be diluted down with the specified buffer to the necessary amount.
  • Example- Antigen sent at 1mg/ml concentration required is 200μg/ml.
• We carry this out using a simple dilution factor and therefore calculating the amount of Antigen/Buffer that is required per immunization.
  • Example  - 1mg/ml ÷ 200μg/ml = Dilution Factor 5 0.5ml required per immunization ÷ 5 = 0.1ml Antigen + 0.4ml Buffer.

Lyophilized Powder

• When we receive a lyophilized powder for immunizations, we will prepare a stock solution from this by adding the specified buffer, this is usually made to a concentration of 1mg/ml, and then the same process of dilution is carried out as before with the solution method. If the customer requires an amount of the powder for ELISA tests etc, this will be made available.

SDS Gel Slice

• If an SDS gel slice is required for immunization, we have to make sure that the solution is well dissolved and able to pass through syringe/needle with ease. This is done via homogenization of the gel with a specified buffer. It is essential that enough solution is prepared for the amount of immunizations required, and if possible that there is at least enough excess solution for further procedures/testing.

Peptides/Proteins

• Any kind of fusion protein can be used for immunizations, but if the customer requires ELISA testing it is essential that cleaved protein is provided for this. Proteins can also be attached to beads, but again we will need cleaved protein for ELISA testing.

Contact us at antibodies@harlan.com for pricing and additional information.